Just wanted to pop in and say you are a great interviewer in this video. I have seen and listened to so many interviews where the interviewer interrupts and tries to get their opinion or words in, but you asked clear questions and let Nolly say what he had to say. It's especially helpful for people who speak in a slower and more articulate/purposeful way like Nolly does. Thanks for giving him the space.
@@Kcutthth i was playing heavier picks as well with no issue, i used to use petrucci jazz and before that jazz 3. There’s something about the give a softer pick has that makes my tone pop more, it just sounds more full and poppy and less scrapey if that makes sense.
I've had the same set of strings on my Dingwal for about 6 months. But I'm also a big fan of upright bass sound. I believe tone is influential in how you play. I might want a warm jazzy sound for whatever set I'm playing and older strings might be what I'm looking for. Unless I'm in the studio. they aren't rusted they are staying on. Also, money can be a factor haha.
Wow, listening to Nolly talk about his approach to bass picking is incredibly reassuring. I also play with a 0.6 pick and thought I just played with bad technique aiming towards the middle of pick for that percussive yet rounded strike of the string. It’s nice to hear that he does the exact same thing!
I learned about the thinner strings from Victor Wooten too. It's also the reason I went to 100-40 from 105-45. Thinner sounds fresh for longer. I'm only in standard tuning so I can probably go 95-40.
Thick strings going dead faster is no joke. I once had my 4 string set up with a 120 gauge for down tuning. That 120 lasted maybe 2 practice sessions before turning into inaudible mud.
Talkin about that low B string getting muddy like a double bass is no joke. I end up using a pick and doing hybrid pops to make it get a clearer tone with more higher harmonics. But at this point I actually use that low B loss of tone, especially for fingerstyle, to make it super deep and subtle when I need it.
Aaand the thick pick issues. Yep, I use that for the lower strings, and fingers for upper strings, popping or otherwise. It really does "catch" on the higher strings.
unknowingly i was using thinner pick and i always felt like i was hiting the strings more consistant,then when i would use thicker picks, i was doing this unknowingly and i got the answer.
If you are truly worried about it that much: Capture the EQ curve of fresh strings and apply it on your "dead sounding" strings with a MatchEQ to your liking. I use Elixir Strings for that reason and I'm happy with worn in ones. If I feel like I need more brightness - I add en EQ on the DI.
I feel like this misses the point of new strings. It isn't about brightness in general, it's about the upper harmonics, which change place depending on the note you play. It also has to do with how the sustain brightness compares to the attack itself. You can't really EQ them in the same way you can't use EQ to make a vocalist that's sounding small and closed up sound open, relaxed, and powerful. Sure, you can make the sustain of an "aaaaa" sound sound similar, but as soon as they pronounce a consonant, or change notes, it will be pretty clear it's just an EQ trick. Our ears are really good at listening for cues and adjusting for the EQ.
His voice sounds deeper. Its must be the beard, he's getting even manlier! He has the manliest bass tone so now he needs to become the manliest man. Love the way his brain works.
I feel like the thin picks are great for tone. Obviously trust the sound engineer. But I feel like it could be a limiting factor for some bassists who play like tech death or black metal or something where the floppiness could impact speed
Maybe, but nolly is an incredibly technical bassist and he uses a thin pick, so it's probably more a matter of getting used to it than it being a permanent limiting factor.
Thor from private software said his voice changed in his mid 30s. Maybe nolly had something similar too. Or the mic sounds different from what we’re used to,
I had a guitarist i was training when I was in high school, his hand sweat was so acidic it would corrode strings within a day or two..... It was the WILDEST thing i've ever seen.
I've been noticing lately that my Ernie Ball strings have been getting dull faster during my playing compared to when I had D'Addarios so I might be swapping them out here come my next run
For me I use D’Addario XL ProSteels. Depending on the bass, I use both light and medium gauge. I have a few 5 and 6 strings, and they work well for me, and they do go dead/become a little muted eventually, but seem to keep the brighter clanky sound for longer. As long as you keep the strings clean and your instrument is properly set up, they should last a bit. I guess it depends on how much you play to. I swap between quite a few instruments, so maybe that keeps them newer sounding for longer too.
Thicker picks on bass help me pick the G and D strings by holding the pick a little looser. As a beginner I struggle to use the pick and I only use it to experiment with the style. Maybe if I ever get into pick on bass one day I’ll appreciate this more.
I've recorded whole album, 10 songs on same strings and had no issue. I don't sweat that much and I wiped them a few times, not for the sound as much as for the feel. And I"m pretty aggressive player. We compared first and the last song and there is no difference at all. But I did most of album in one take, it took me about 4 hours to record everything, it would have took me more to change strings for every song. Now I must admit it was one of my first recordings and now it sounds like sh**, but the strings were fine
I can listen to Nolly talking about tones forever
i could listen kids audiobooks with that voice.
Just wanted to pop in and say you are a great interviewer in this video. I have seen and listened to so many interviews where the interviewer interrupts and tries to get their opinion or words in, but you asked clear questions and let Nolly say what he had to say. It's especially helpful for people who speak in a slower and more articulate/purposeful way like Nolly does. Thanks for giving him the space.
Thanks so much for the kind words! I've had a blast speaking with every guest so far. Stay tuned for more episodes!
I’ve been using thin picks ever since the first nolly video about it. Incredible advice
Definitely makes sure my wrists will last for years to come haha
100% same here mate
Can’t do it. I’ve been playing with heavy picks for 30 years and never had any issues. It’s all relative and whatever you prefer
Same here. Took a while to get used to, but it's less strain AND more evenness
@@Kcutthth i was playing heavier picks as well with no issue, i used to use petrucci jazz and before that jazz 3. There’s something about the give a softer pick has that makes my tone pop more, it just sounds more full and poppy and less scrapey if that makes sense.
I've had the same set of strings on my Dingwal for about 6 months. But I'm also a big fan of upright bass sound. I believe tone is influential in how you play. I might want a warm jazzy sound for whatever set I'm playing and older strings might be what I'm looking for. Unless I'm in the studio. they aren't rusted they are staying on. Also, money can be a factor haha.
Wow, listening to Nolly talk about his approach to bass picking is incredibly reassuring. I also play with a 0.6 pick and thought I just played with bad technique aiming towards the middle of pick for that percussive yet rounded strike of the string. It’s nice to hear that he does the exact same thing!
I learned about the thinner strings from Victor Wooten too. It's also the reason I went to 100-40 from 105-45. Thinner sounds fresh for longer. I'm only in standard tuning so I can probably go 95-40.
Thick strings going dead faster is no joke. I once had my 4 string set up with a 120 gauge for down tuning. That 120 lasted maybe 2 practice sessions before turning into inaudible mud.
120? 😂 pussy.
The thinner pick is my next experiment.
Talkin about that low B string getting muddy like a double bass is no joke. I end up using a pick and doing hybrid pops to make it get a clearer tone with more higher harmonics. But at this point I actually use that low B loss of tone, especially for fingerstyle, to make it super deep and subtle when I need it.
Aaand the thick pick issues. Yep, I use that for the lower strings, and fingers for upper strings, popping or otherwise. It really does "catch" on the higher strings.
Whats that Firebird lookin bass on the wall back there? It looks so cool but I need to see more!!
Possibly a Dingwall D-roc
Yes, D-Roc 5 Custom!
unknowingly i was using thinner pick and i always felt like i was hiting the strings more consistant,then when i would use thicker picks, i was doing this unknowingly and i got the answer.
If you are truly worried about it that much: Capture the EQ curve of fresh strings and apply it on your "dead sounding" strings with a MatchEQ to your liking.
I use Elixir Strings for that reason and I'm happy with worn in ones. If I feel like I need more brightness - I add en EQ on the DI.
I feel like this misses the point of new strings. It isn't about brightness in general, it's about the upper harmonics, which change place depending on the note you play. It also has to do with how the sustain brightness compares to the attack itself.
You can't really EQ them in the same way you can't use EQ to make a vocalist that's sounding small and closed up sound open, relaxed, and powerful. Sure, you can make the sustain of an "aaaaa" sound sound similar, but as soon as they pronounce a consonant, or change notes, it will be pretty clear it's just an EQ trick. Our ears are really good at listening for cues and adjusting for the EQ.
@iurigrang yeah I mean its bass. And its in a mix with a lot of loud distorted other stuff. I don't hear it, but others might.
His voice sounds deeper. Its must be the beard, he's getting even manlier! He has the manliest bass tone so now he needs to become the manliest man. Love the way his brain works.
It’s weird hearing your thoughts expressed by another musician. I’ve always felt the same way about the bass and guitar frequencies being integrated!
Another thing: the more the string is tighter (the pressure is higher) faster it goes dead.
Hi Mark :D
My Pbass that I use for live stuff has had the same strings on it for 2+ years lmao
I have had the same strings on my P for some time as well, I feel like P basses really like worn in strings. It just works, and sounds great.
I feel like the thin picks are great for tone. Obviously trust the sound engineer. But I feel like it could be a limiting factor for some bassists who play like tech death or black metal or something where the floppiness could impact speed
Maybe, but nolly is an incredibly technical bassist and he uses a thin pick, so it's probably more a matter of getting used to it than it being a permanent limiting factor.
Is Nolly’s voice pitched down a little? Or is that just me? His normal talking voice isn’t normally this deep, I thought
Probably eq'd differently from usual
I heard it too. It's almost like there is a slight formant pitch change. Doesn't really bother me but got me really curious.
Thor from private software said his voice changed in his mid 30s. Maybe nolly had something similar too. Or the mic sounds different from what we’re used to,
Yeah it sounds really weird… 🧐
@@metalheadblues EQ wouldn't change the pitch though
I had a guitarist i was training when I was in high school, his hand sweat was so acidic it would corrode strings within a day or two.....
It was the WILDEST thing i've ever seen.
I've been noticing lately that my Ernie Ball strings have been getting dull faster during my playing compared to when I had D'Addarios so I might be swapping them out here come my next run
For me I use D’Addario XL ProSteels. Depending on the bass, I use both light and medium gauge. I have a few 5 and 6 strings, and they work well for me, and they do go dead/become a little muted eventually, but seem to keep the brighter clanky sound for longer. As long as you keep the strings clean and your instrument is properly set up, they should last a bit. I guess it depends on how much you play to. I swap between quite a few instruments, so maybe that keeps them newer sounding for longer too.
My NYXLs last me for ages
Thicker picks on bass help me pick the G and D strings by holding the pick a little looser. As a beginner I struggle to use the pick and I only use it to experiment with the style. Maybe if I ever get into pick on bass one day I’ll appreciate this more.
Change them after playing one note. Every note played requires a string change.
Never
I've recorded whole album, 10 songs on same strings and had no issue. I don't sweat that much and I wiped them a few times, not for the sound as much as for the feel. And I"m pretty aggressive player. We compared first and the last song and there is no difference at all. But I did most of album in one take, it took me about 4 hours to record everything, it would have took me more to change strings for every song. Now I must admit it was one of my first recordings and now it sounds like sh**, but the strings were fine
of course its 17 mins long...
TIL Nolly is British...
If this is your first nolly video, go down the rabbit hole!! You won't regret it
You change strings when they break.
New strings go out of tune. Give me stability. It's a bass. It's supposed to sound bassy.